Baggage Allowances

Regardless of where you're going, you'll want to make sure what you’re bringing is allowed.

All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag, and one personal item. Charges apply for excess, oversized, or overweight items. Here are the rules.

Carry-on Baggage

All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that meet the criteria below.

Size and Weight Restrictions

If your carry-on bag doesn't meet these size and weight restrictions it must be checked, and all checked baggage rules will apply. Your bag must:

  • Weigh less than 40 pounds (18 kg).
  • Not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height).
  • Fit easily in our SizeCheck® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9").
  • Fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Personal Items

You're allowed one personal item from this sample list:

  • Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags
  • Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)
  • Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

Other Carry-on Items Allowed

You may also bring these items onboard. They do not count toward your personal item.

  • Food items for immediate consumption
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches
  • One box or bag of duty free merchandise
  • A coat, jacket, or umbrella

Exceptions

Additional restrictions to carry-on baggage may exist due to available space and limitations on certain flights. If you have additional questions, please see a check-in agent for help or review our Baggage FAQs.


Checked Baggage—within the United States

When traveling within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, customers who purchased a ticket on or after November 6, 2008, will be charged $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag (each way, for round trip).

Checked Baggage—International

Currently when traveling to or from cities outside the United States you can check two bags, per passenger at no extra charge. For customers traveling between the U.S. and Europe for tickets purchased on or after May 23, 2009 for travel beginning July 1, 2009 customers in economy class will be charged $50 US (or the local equivalent currency) for the second checked bag. Exceptions to the second checked bag fee include:

  • First and Business Class passengers
  • SkyMiles and WorldPerks Elite members (Platinum, Gold, and Silver)
  • Active duty military members traveling on orders
  • Passengers who purchased tickets prior to May 23, 2009
  • Passengers who are confirmed on a Full Y class Economy ticket.
You can refer to the chart below for exceptions to the checked baggage policy.

If you have additional bags to check, you may be charged excess baggage fees.

Each bag must:

  • Weigh 50 pounds (22.5 kg) or less.
  • Not exceed 62 inches when you total length + width + height.

Destinations

Free Baggage Acceptance Baggage Requirements
50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands - Economy Class

For customers who purchased tickets on or after November 6, 2008
$15 fee, first bag;
$25 fee, second bag. For 3 or more bags see excess baggage fees.
Maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands - Economy Class

For customers who purchased tickets between July 31, 2008 and November 5, 2008, for travel on or after August 5, 2008
See excess baggage fees. Maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands - Economy Class

For customers who purchased tickets on or after April 9, 2008 through July 30, 2008
1 checked bag Maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands - Economy Class

For customers who purchased tickets prior to April 9, 2008
2 checked bags Each bag at a maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
Europe-Economy Class (applicable for tickets purchased on or after May 23, 2009 for travel beginning July 1, 2009) First bag free; second bag, $50 Maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
Latin America (South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico), the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Canada - Economy Class 2 checked bags Each bag at a maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
Tickets purchased in Brazil or purchased in Japan for travel to/from Brazil - Economy Class

Two checked bags for tickets purchased in Brazil

Each bag at a maximum 70 lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
First Class, BusinessFirst, and International Business Class (on Delta and Delta Connection® flights only) 3 checked bags Each bag at a maximum 70lbs (32 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)

Ticket must reflect confirmed seat for segment in which customer is checking in
U.S. Military Customers on Military Orders 10 checked bags on Delta aircraft;
4 checked bags on Delta Connection carriers
Each bag at a maximum 100 lbs (45 kg) and 80 linear inches (203 cm), which equals total length + width + height, per bag
 

Special Items

  • Each special item you're checking counts as one bag.
  • When checking in online, you don't have to tell us what the special item is—only that you have one.
  • An agent will determine any possible charges for your special item when you bring it to the baggage drop.

Included are:

Still have questions? Visit Special Baggage to learn more.

Checked Baggage Exceptions

Passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to only one checked bag.

With the exception of original factory-sealed boxes that will be accepted on a standby basis, we do not accept boxes as checked baggage to Central or South America (except Brazil, Mexico, and Chile) at any time of the year.

Still have questions? Check out our Baggage FAQs.


General Conditions of Acceptance

Delta will accept your baggage for transportation, subject to the following conditions:

  • All baggage is subject to search.
  • We reserve the right to refuse baggage whose size, weight, character, or condition is unsuitable for transportation on the particular aircraft which is to transport it or which cannot be accommodated without harming or annoying passengers.
  • Baggage check-in requirements, which vary by airport, must be met. Please review airport Check-in Requirements for details.
  • Baggage must be checked at a Delta designated city or airport office.
  • Your name must be on your baggage.
  • Baggage will not be checked to a destination that is not on a passenger's itinerary.

Second Bag Fee Rebate Program

On April 9, 2008, we announced that we would begin charging $25 for a second checked bag effective for all travel on or after May 5, 2008.

Although this fee applied to all passengers regardless of when they purchased their ticket, we have made a business decision to offer those passengers who purchased tickets prior to April 9, 2008 for travel after May 5, 2008, a rebate of this fee.

You can check your eligibility for the rebate or request a rebate online.


Security Advisories

Liquid Restrictions

Traveling with liquids, gels, pastes, and other similar items? Learn more at Security Checkpoints.

Dangerous Goods

Dry ice? Matches? Firecrackers? Find out what is and isn't allowed onboard at Dangerous Goods.

Read the U.S. DOT's SafeTravel information about travel with spare batteries.


Airline Partner Notice

Our SkyTeam® and codeshare partners may have different guidelines and restrictions on certain flights.


Complete Baggage Rules

For complete Checked and Carry-on Baggage rules, see Delta's Contract of Carriage.

Travel may be on other airlines.
Terms and conditions apply to all offers and SkyMiles benefits. See specific offer for details, and visit SkyMiles Membership Guide & Program Rules.
+Subject to government approval.

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